Background: This study was designed to compare the success rate of biological and composite restorations when used to replace structural loss of primary anterior teeth using intracanal post for radicular support of the restoration. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients aged between 3-5 years presenting with early childhood caries (ECC) received at least one or more composite and biological restorations for comparative evaluation. A total of 150 restorations were done (75 biological restorations and 75 composite restorations). The restorations were evaluated single-blind according to a modified USPHS system. Assessment of the patient's response in accepting a biological restoration, psychological impact of the restorations, view of the parents, and peer group reviews, etc. were recorded in a response sheet in presence of the child and the parents. Observations and Results: In vivo clinical performance of biological post and crown restorations and intracanal reinforced composite restorations was comparable with respect to shade match, marginal discoloration, marginal integrity, surface finish, gingival health, retention, and recurrent carious lesions. The cost effectiveness of biological restorations was certainly a positive attribute. Conclusion: The biological restoration presented as a cost effective, clinician friendly, less-technique sensitive, and esthetic alternative to commercially available restorative materials used for restoring deciduous teeth affected by ECC.

Background: The higher incidence of dental erosion in children and teenagers possibly reflects a high intake of acidic food and beverages as well as a more frequent diagnosis on this condition. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the erosive potential of acidic filling of chewing gum in primary and permanent enamel. Methods and Materials: Eighty enamel blocks (40 primary and 40 permanent teeth) were used and randomly distributed into eight groups. Groups were divided according to types of dental substrates (permanent or primary), frequency of exposure to the acidic substance (2X or 4X/day), and concentration (pure or diluted). Exposure time to the acidic content of the chewing gum was five minutes under agitation, during five days. Results: All groups showed a significant decrease in surface microhardness (P < 0.001). There was neither any significant difference in the frequency of exposure to the acidic content nor to the types of dental substrates. There was a statistically significant difference between D1 (pure, 2X/day) and D2 (diluted, 2X/day) (P = 0.002), D3 (pure, 4X/day) and D4 (diluted, 4X/day) (P = 0.009) regarding the concentration, then the diluted acid content was associated with a greater decrease in microhardness. Conclusion: It is concluded that the acidic filling of a chewing gum reduced the microhardness of primary and permanent enamel.

The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of nursing caries in Davangere preschool children and its relationship with feeding practices and socioeconomic status of the family. Materials and Methods: A total of 813 children aged 2-6 years were screened for the present study from randomly selected three kindergarten schools each from Government, Government aided, and private managements. Clinical examination was done inside the respective schools. At the time of examination, a proforma was filled for each child comprising of DFS index. The questionnaire by Winter et al. was modified and used in this study. The completed proformas were statistically analyzed to find if any correlation existed between the nursing caries to the feeding practices and socioeconomic status of the family. Results: Duration of breastfeeding increases the number of children with nursing caries and the mean DFS. There is a strong and significant relationship between the severity of nursing caries and the degree of feeding abuse. Children from low socioeconomic status have increased early childhood caries. Conclusion: The prevalence of nursing caries was 19.2% in Davangere preschool population. Nursing caries were more in children who were taking a feeding bottle to bed at night and were increasingly seen in large families and lower socioeconomic groups.

Saliva is commonly referred to as the blood stream of the oral cavity. It has many functions, one of the major functions being protection of teeth against dental caries. There are many components in saliva, each one having a specific role in the prevention of dental caries. The composition of saliva varies from individual to individual and in the same individual it varies between the glands. The composition of whole saliva, especially when unstimulated, has gained much interest, because it is this which constantly bathes the teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the IgA levels in the unstimulated whole saliva of caries-free and caries-active children aged 3-6 years and to correlate its role in protection of the tooth against dental caries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes caused by different sterilization or disinfection methods on the vestibular surface of four commercially made preformed crowns using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preformed crowns (NuSmile Primary Anterior Crown (NSC), Kinder Krowns (KK), Pedo Pearls (PP) and polycarbonate crowns (PC)) were sterilized and/or disinfected by one of the following techniques: no sterilization or disinfection (G1 control group); steam autoclaving at 134 °C (30 psi) for 4 min (G2); steam autoclaving at 134 °C (30 psi) for 12 min (G3); steam autoclaving at 121 °C (15 psi) for 30 min (G4); and ultrasonication in a bath containing 4% Lysetol® AF for 5 min at room temperature (chemical disinfection) (G5). Scanning electron micrographs of the crowns were taken before and after their sterilization or disinfection. The changes on the vestibular surface were then scored for the presence or absence of crazing, contour alteration, fracturing, and vestibular surface changes. The data were analyzed statistically using the chi-square test. No changes were observed before and after sterilization or disinfection in the stereomicroscopic evaluation of the vestibular surface of the crowns. However, all methods in which steam autoclaving was used to sterilize the crowns caused significant (P < 0.05) crazing and contour alterations of the vestibular surface of the crowns when they were examined by SEM. Chemical disinfection using an aldehyde-free disinfectant is the preferred method of disinfection for crowns that have been used previously in other dental patients.

Dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst, which apparently develops by accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and the tooth crown of an unerupted tooth. There is usually no pain or discomfort associated with the cyst unless there is acute inflammatory exacerbation. Management of dentigerous cyst in primary dentition needs special consideration regarding the preservation of the developing permanent tooth buds. Here, we report a case of dentigerous cyst in primary dentition in a 10-year-old male patient and its management.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. The clinical manifestations include palmer planter hyperkeratosis with precocious progressive periodontal disease that results in premature exfoliation of primary and permanent dentitions. Patients are often edentulous at an early age. This is a case report of prosthodontic rehabilitation of a 15-year-old girl with Papillon-Lefevre syndrome.

Dental lamina cyst, also known as gingival cyst of newborn, is a benign oral mucosal lesion of transient nature. These lesions are usually multiple but do not increase in size. Since the lesions are self-limiting and spontaneously shed a few weeks or months after birth no treatment is required. Clinical diagnoses of these conditions are important in order to avoid unnecessary therapeutic procedure and provide suitable information to parents about the nature of the lesion. In addition, it may be incorrectly diagnosed as natal teeth if present in mandibular anterior region. Here, we present a case of dental lamina cyst of newborn.

Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary syndrome characterized by dysplasia of tissues of ectodermal origin (hair, skin, nails, and teeth) and occasionally, dysplasia of mesodermally derived tissues. The triad of nail dystrophy (onychodysplasia), alopecia, or hypotrichosis (scanty, fine, light hair on the scalp and eyebrows) and palmoplantar hypohidrosis is usually accompanied by lack of sweat glands and partial or complete absence of primary and permanent dentition. Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia usually has an X-linked inheritance and affects only males severely, while female heterozygotes show only minor defects. The clinical management of children with ectodermal dysplasia provides a unique opportunity for cooperative effort between the pedodontist and the prosthodontist. The following case report discusses the management of a young boy with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. Removable prostheses were employed in the treatment. The aim was to rehabilitate the adolescent prosthodontically and boost him psychologically.